Reversible track set for toy vehicles



Dec. 19, 1961 1 3,013,726

REVERSIBLE TRACK SET FOR TOY VEHICLES Filed June 30, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l /5 INVENTOR. /5 /0 55v OEE'L Dec. 19, 1961 Filed June 30, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 557V OREL 3,013,726 REVERSEBLE TRACK SET FQR TOY VEHICLE lien first, 733 N. La Bren Ave, Hollywood 58, Calif. Filled June 3d, 1964 Ser. No. 39,933 3 Qlairns. (ill. 233-49) This invention relates to a reversible or dual purpose track set for toy vehicles. My track set is particularly adapted for use with toy trains and toy automotive vehicles.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved toy track set comprising a plurality of removably coupled track sections, each of which has on one side thereof a track for one type of toy and on the other side a different shape or kind of track for a different type of toy. For example, one side may comprise a train track for toy trains and the other side may comprise a roadway for toy automotive or similar vehicles.

it is accordingly among the objects of my invention to provide a single toy track set which is capable of use with two or more different types of toys which require different types of tracks. It is a further object of my invention to provide such a track set which is formed of a plurality of sections, in which the sections are so joined together that each of the track sections may be selectively and individually reversed without uncoupling the section from its adjacent sections and in most cases without affecting the positioning of the adjacent track sections.

it is thus possible with my invention for a child not only to use the same track for two different types of toys, but also to play with both types of toys simultaneously on a single track set.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my reversible track set, showing an intersecting train track for toy trains and roadway for toy automotive vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one of the track sections taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

PEG. 3 is a top plan view of the junction member;

FIG. 4 is a broken perspective view of the adjoining portions of two adjacent track sections;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, showing how one track section can be reversed without reversing the adjacent'section or disconnecting from the adjacent section;

EIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ramp section.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises a straight track section It) of oblong rectangular shape. Extending outwardly from one end of the track section It? is a nail 11, on which there is loosely and swivelly mounted a male snap fastener half 12 The male snap fastener half 12 is free to rotate with respect to the nail 11. The opposite end of the track section it) has imbedded therein a complementarily formed female snap fastener half 13. The snap fastener halves 12 and 13 are used to couple a plurality of track sections Ill together. When the snap fastener halves i2 and 13 of adjacent track sections are joined together, the snap fastener halves are free to rotate with respect to each other without affecting the coupling of the track sections.

, 3,013,726 Patented Dec. 19, 1961 ime a pair of parallel longitudinal grooves 15, which are disposed adjacent but spaced inwardly from the opposite sides of the track section 10. The grooves 15 define a track which is adapted to receive and guide the wheels of a toy train.

The opposite side of the track section 10 is cut away across almost its entire width by a wide longitudinal groove 16 which forms a roadway which is adapted to receive and guide the wheels of a toy automotive vehicle. The side edges of the track section 10 on opposite sides of the groove 15 extend above the surface of the groove rs to provide a pair oflongitudinal guides 17 which act as barriers to prevent the automotive vehicle from leaving the roadway formed by the groove 16. The guides 17 extend for the entire length of the track section 10 along its longitudinal side edges.

A complete track set customan'ly comprises a plurality of straight track sections iiiof varying length, a plurality of curved track sections 20, which carry grooves identical with those of the straight track sections ll and one or more junction members 30. The junction member 30 hasfour projections 31, each of which carry afsnap fastener half 32. One side of the junction member 30 is provided with a pair of intersecting wide grooves 33, leaving four right angle guides 34 at its corners. The grooves 33 define a pair of intersecting roadways for toy automotive vehicles. The other side of the junction member 30 is provided with two pairs of parallel grooves 35 and 36 which intersect at right angles and provide intersecting tracks for toy trains.

In use, a plurality of the track sections 10 and 20 are assembled with or without a junction member 30. The track sections it and 29 may be arranged so that all of their wide grooves are disposed upwardly, in which case the entire track set is adapted for play with automotive vehicles. Whenever the child desires, he can turn over one, two or any desired number of track sections so that the narrow parallel grooves are disposed upwardly and such portion of the track is then ready for use with a toy train.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, any one of the track sections in can be turned over without uncoupling or disconnecting it from the adjacent track sections. Any of the curved track sections 20 can also be turned over without uncoupling it from either of the adjacent track sections.

When a curved track section 20 is turned over it will, of course, change the direction of one of the adjacent track sections.

The junction member 34) cannot be turned over without disconnecting the track sections which are coupled to it. a toy automotive vehicle to move across either side of the junction member 3%, so that it is not essential that the junction member 3% be changed whenever the track sections are changed.

It will thus be seen that my track set serves a dual purpose, providing in a single track set two different types of tracks for two different types of toy vehicles. The individual reversibility of each of the track sections Without requiring uncoupling from the adjacent track sections adds greatly to the versatility of the track set,

since it is possible to change any part or parts of the .a ball and socket or any other type of coupling means It is possible, however, for either a-toy train or 3 may be used which would permit the coupled track sections to be individually reversed without uncoupling them from each other. It is also possible to provide any form of track other than those shown and described herein.

One or more ramp sections 40 may be provided at the ends of the tracks in order to permit toy trains or automotive vehicles to be moved on and off the track sections. The ramp sections 41} carry tracks on their opposite sides similar to those of the track sections 10. The ramp section 40 is shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

I claim:

1. A reversible track set for toy vehicles comprising a plurality of elongated track sections, each of said track sections having a pair of narrow longitudinally extending parallel grooves extending longitudinally along one side thereof and defining a track for toy trains, each of said track sections having a wide groove extending longitudinally along the other side thereof, said wide groove having a width slightly less than that of said track sections and defining a roadway for toy automotive vehicles, coupling means adjacent the opposite ends of said track sections for removably coupling said track sections to each other in end to end relationship, said coupling means being formed so that each of said track sections is capable of being turned over without turning over either of the adjacent track sections and without uncoupling said track sections from each other.

2. A reversible track set for toy vehicles comprising a plurality of elongated track sections, each of said track sections having a pair of tracks for a toy train extending longitudinally along one side thereof and a roadway for toy automotive vehicles extending longitudinally along the other side thereof, coupling means carried by the opposite ends of each of said track sections for removably coupling said track sections to each other in end to end relationship, said coupling means being formed so that each of said track sections is capable of being turned over without turning over either of the adjacent track sections and without uncoupling said track sections from each other.

3. A reversible track set for toy vehicles comprising a plurality of elongated track sections, one side of each of said track sections having a pair of narrow parallel grooves which extend longitudinally for the entire length of said section, said grooves being spaced inwardly from the side edges of said track sections, said grooves defining a track for the wheels of toy trains, the sides of said grooves being adapted to act as barriers to prevent the movement of the wheels of said toy trains out of said grooves, the opposite side of each of said track sections having a pair of upwardly directed guides extending along its opposite side edges for the entire length of said section, with a wide flat groove extending completely across said section between said guides, said groove providing a fiat roadway for toy automotive vehicles, said guides being adapted to act as barriers to prevent said vehicles from leaving said roadway, and coupling means adjacent the opposite ends of each of said track sections for removably coupling said sections to each other in end to end relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 512,568 Thiebaud Jan. 9, 1894 2,547,586 Lore Apr. 3, 1951 2,574,067 Seidman Nov. 6, 1951 2,839,621 Boldt June 17, 1958 2,847,798 Orel Aug. 19, 1958 2,862,333 Gardiol Dec. 2, 1958 

